Team Report!

this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; Originally Posted by FanNJ
Of the backs that were fielded this year the old man Smith looked the best to me. He did run with guts and broke some nice runs, but obviously lacked the breakaway speed that the Duce ...

Of the backs that were fielded this year the old man Smith looked the best to me. He did run with guts and broke some nice runs, but obviously lacked the breakaway speed that the Duce exhibited in 03'. I'm not sold on Stecker as an everydown back so he does need a complement. I really hope that Duce can return to form but it took two years for Edge to return to pre injury form so I am some what skeptical but still praying.

This years draft will have some quality backs in it and Maybe if the trade down scenerio happens with the first pick the Saints may be able to pick up some defense and a back in the second round. Addai may still be around come the second round but I would rather see maybe Vickers from Colorado, or back hat has sustained less injury. Just a thought.

And to boot isn't Sullivan in a contract year? Maybe he will play his heart out next year, as he did look pretty good when he finally got on the field this year. He was actually in and around plays.

I think it's probably good that we have a coach that will look at Deuce objectively, since he did not draft him. I think how Deuce responds this year will be crucial. I'm not expecting him to be the Deuce of '03, but i would expect to hear of him working very hard to get as close to prime shape as he can. I think Edge was a case of the best possible scenario. Deuce isn't regarded as being as dedicated as Edge is, so we'll see. I think Addai would be a good pickup though.

I was also impressed with A Smith. The guy might be old, and not as fast as some other backs in the league, but the guy is going to give you 100% every single play. I think he's a great backup, and was a decent starter.

I was also impressed with A Smith. The guy might be old, and not as fast as some other backs in the league, but the guy is going to give you 100% every single play. I think he's a great backup, and was a decent starter.

1) Stop duce by stacking the line with 8 in the box.
2) make AB beat you with WR that are inconsistant at best. Horn is their only weapon. So lock him up with your best cover man and double team him as needed. The others are not good enough to beat you.

Thats it and it has worked better each year since duce arrived. Ask yourself why?
1)To many changes on the OL the past 4 years
2)WR and TE that are more hype and what ifs than recievers or blockers. Hit them once and they will flinch and will be affraid to hold their blocks.
3)QB that is affraid of getting sacked from the blind side when he passes. The pressure up the middle is easy to get.

It is simple we dumped 2 top nfl tackles, a very good center, and a suffled OL that looks like a house of cards. You know Bentley is the best on the line and he will be tied up helping the guards so just slant and stunt all day. we now have a RT and if Bentley goes to RG we will have a whole side to contend with that does not have a gap in the middle. Holland at LG is coming on so a LT is needed to finish that side. That leaves only a center that Payton trustes with his system.
Our recievers need to sneak some stickem on the field. Then Duce would stand a chance. If you do not see it watch how many times Karney goes into a hole to find more than one person needs blocking. Geezzzzzzzz
Fix these problems and see Duce do so much better in the next 2 years and he will be back in the pro bowl as will horn if he gets a set of hands to help him out. It all starts with the OL. second the WR have to be feared as a unit that can get first downs. Thats is what got us in the playoffs and that will get us back. So AB might not have to go also. He is a scared rabbit back there. Not to say he can handle the mental part of QB. But that is another topic

Look I'll say it now if winning next year and putting in a good showning is the concern we need a left tackle and a center. I think with Bentley and Brown on the right side we will give the saints a strong side to run behind. That being said, if AB is not traded and the line is solidified (and false starts and Holding penalties are eliminated) I think vast improvements on his end will happen. It is very easy to force balls on third and long with pressure comming at you from all sides. He did not have a good showing at all this year, or last but what QB did with an inconsistant line. (also I think he should consider wearing a glove on his throwing hand so that ball stops slipping out). with the line solidified and a quality Backup/Rookie pushing for playing time he may very well perform like early in his career. That being said throw in a couple of linebackers and a blocking Tight end and a Kicker that can hit from 30 yards out and this team could be a contender at least for a playoff birth.

Remember many teams now days jump from the Bottom of the Barrel to the top in there Conference in one year. Just look at the Giants, Redskin, Tampa and Chicago this year alone in the NFC. As I recall in the NFC South the past three years all of the Division winners were the year befores bottom of the barrel. So I will hold out a little optomisim.